Sawyer, pictured here, and his family's other dog, Lucy, were saved from the rubble of their home two days after a tornado hit.

Dogs Trapped in Rubble for 2 Days

Two lucky dogs were pulled from the rubble of their Rowlett, Texas, home Monday — two days after deadly tornadoes struck the area. The dogs’ owner, Michael Delgado, and his daughters were at a movie theater Saturday night when the powerful storm hit, reported Texas’ Fox 4 News. Delgado’s mother and another family member were in his home at the time and survived by hiding in a closet, but Delgado was distraught that he couldn’t find his dogs. He returned to the site Monday afternoon with a group from his church and heard barking coming from under a pile of debris. The group pulled the family’s yellow Labrador Retriever, Sawyer, out safely. Four hours later, their Chihuahua, Lucy, was rescued, too. Both rescues were caught on video by Delgado’s friend. The dogs were taken to the veterinarian. Although they were dehydrated and sore, amazingly they didn’t suffer any broken bones or major injuries. — Watch it at NBC Dallas Fort Worth

Dogs Pose Threat to African Penguins

Endangered African penguins struggle to find food at sea, and now they face a new threat on shore in South Africa: pet dogs. More than 40 of the birds were killed this year by one or more dogs, prompting authorities to increase patrols in a nesting area where people often walk their dogs. Full time patrols in the Cape Town nesting areas will continue until the end of January, authorities said. — Read it from the AP via Yahoo

Second Form of Contagious Cancer Found in Tasmanian Devils

A new form of cancer in Tasmanian Devils spreads by biting and result in facial tumors, much like the form that’s been devastating the Australian animals’ population since it was first observed in 1996. The newly discovered form is genetically distinct from the previously known form. The transmissible devil facial tumor disease has left the species endangered. Captive breeding programs have been started as a last-ditch effort to save the species. The research was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. — Read it at Discovery News

Tolay, a pregnant and stubborn elephant seal, was moved to a safe beach area in California.

Pregnant Elephant Seal Moved

Yesterday, we told you about a female elephant seal who was blocking traffic as she tried to cross a busy highway in Sonoma, California. The massive seal weighs 900 pounds, and rescuers and police were having a difficult time trying to steer her back into the water. The pregnant seal repeatedly came out onto the roadway, and did it again Tuesday. Concerned for her safety — and the safety of drivers in the area — marine mammal experts decided to tranquilize her and relocate her to Point Reyes, where she can avoid traffic and have her pup. The seal, who rescuers named Tolay for the creek she swam in, was released onto the protected beach in the dark Tuesday night, so the other seals there wouldn’t be disturbed. — Read it at San Francisco’s ABC 7

How Should a Dog Wear Pants?

It’s the latest great debate on social media, sparked by a fast-spreading meme: if dogs wore pants, would they wear them on only their hind legs, or on all four legs? Apparently, it’s an important question with impassioned answers. The graphic was first posted to Facebook but really took off when it was shared on Twitter and Reddit. The image was created by a 19-year-old man in Belgium who identifies himself as Norbert K. Unlike most people who’ve weighed in on the debate, Norbert says he’s “quite neutral” on the issue himself. For the record, most people go with the two-leg option. — Read it at the Washington Post